Economic Survey: Power demand up by 165% in 6 years

PATNA: The state’s Economic Survey report for 2018-19, tabled by deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi in the state assembly on Monday, highlighted the strides made in power sector in Bihar.
According to the survey, the per capita consumption of electricity in the state rose from 134 kilowatts in 2011-12 to 280 kilowatts in 2017-18 along with a subsequent increase in the availability of power from an average of 6-8 hours to 18-20 hours in rural areas and from 10-12 hours to 22-24 hours in urban areas during 2012-2018.
The survey report has mentioned that the expected power demand of Bihar will touch 6,381mw by 2020-21 with an annual energy requirement of 36894mu.
Focusing on the quantum of power consumption in various districts in 2017-2018 fiscal, the survey ranked Patna as the top most district with a total consumption of 4965mw. Gaya was placed second with a total consumption of 1522mw and Nalanda (1,008mw) third. The three least power consuming districts were Sheohar (76mu), Arwal (135mu) and Sheikhpura (176mu).
According to the survey, the demand for electricity in state peaked from 1,712mw in 2011-12 to 4,535mw in 2017-18, implying a growth rate of around 165%. Also, the peak demand reached a new high of 5139mw during current financial year in September 2018.
As per the survey, tremendous growth has been made by the government in reducing the power deficit in the state. “The deficit in power supply was around 30% for several years till 2012-13, but it came down to around 9% by 2017-18,” it said.
“Electric connection has been provided to all willing households in the state. In the next phase, connection will be provided to agriculture pump sets, both new as well as existing pumps presently running on diesel, by December this year,” the report said.